Twin reel beltwinder

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a twin reel beltwinder which is designed to support an indeterminate length of conveyor belt for transportation within a mine cavity. The present invention includes a frame structure rotatably mounted on four wheels and including a framework for supporting a roll of conveyor belt. The entire roll of conveyor belt is initially positioned on one arm of the support structure. Subsequently, a portion of the conveyor belt is unreeled onto the second arm of the support structure. By equally distributing the conveyor belt between the first arm and the second arm of the support structure, the overall height of the apparatus is low enough to be accommodated within a mine cavity.

I claim: 
     
       1. A twin reel beltwinder apparatus for use in supporting an indeterminate length of conveyor belt for transportation within a mine cavity comprising: a framework mounted on support wheels, said framework including a front end and a rear end;   a first set of arms pivotally mounted at one end to a central portion of said framework and extending rearwardly therefrom, said first set of arms including means at the other end thereof for securing a full reel of conveyor belt;   a second set of arms pivotally mounted at one end to said central portion of said framework and extending forwardly therefrom, said second set of arms including spindle means at the other end thereof unto which a portion of the conveyor belt is positioned to reduce the overall height of said full reel of conveyor belt initially positioned on said first set of arms;   a first jack means operatively connected to said first set of arms for actuating said first set of arms between a raised and a lowered position;   a second jack means operatively connected to said second set of arms for actuating said second set of arms between a raised and a lowered position;   means for imparting a rotary motion being operatively connected to said spindle means on said second set of arms to wind a portion of said conveyor belt from said full reel of conveyor belt unto said spindle means;   means for imparting a rotary motion being operatively connected to said means for securing a full reel on said first set of arms for winding or unwinding said conveyor belt therefrom;   said support wheels of said framework and said first and second sets of arms being operatively disposed relative to each other to provide an unobstructed path between said means for securing said full reel of conveyor belt and said spindle means to permit uninhibited winding and unwinding of said conveyor belt therebetween.   
     
     
       2. A twin reel belt winder apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said jack means for actuating said first set of arms between a raised and a lowered position comprises a hydraulic jack. 
     
     
       3. A twin reel belt winder apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for securing a full reel of conveyor belt on said first set of arms includes a spindle on which a reel of conveyor belt is positioned. 
     
     
       4. A twin reel belt winder apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said means for imparting rotary motion is operatively connected to said spindle and includes a drive shaft, a gear reducer which includes an output shaft and a drive gear connected to said spindle. 
     
     
       5. A twin reel belt winder apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said jack means for actuating said second set of arms between a raised and a lowered position comprises a hydraulic jack. 
     
     
       6. A twin reel belt winder apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for imparting rotary motion to said spindle means includes a drive shaft, a gear reducer which includes an output shaft and a drive gear connected to said spindle means. 
     
     
       7. A method of transporting and handling an indeterminate length of replacement conveyor belt within a mine cavity comprising the following steps: securing a full reel of replacement conveyor belt onto an outer end of a first set of arms pivotally mounted at the other end to a framework, said framework being mounted on support wheels;   distributing a portion of said replacement conveyor belt from said outer end of said first set of arms to an outer end of a second set of arms pivotally mounted at the other end to said framework, said distributing effecting a reduction in the overall height of said full reel of said replacement conveyor belt;   transporting said full reel of replacement conveyor belt having a reduced overall height within limited height restricted areas of a mine tunnel;   winding the remaining portion of said replacement conveyor belt from said outer end of said first set of arms onto said outer end of said second set of arms; and   winding a used conveyor belt unto said outer end of said first set of arms while unwinding said replacement conveyor belt from said outer end of said second set of arms to replace said used conveyor belt without wasting any portion of said replacement conveyor belt.